Like a light in the midst of the shadows caused by World War II, The Voice of Prophecy in Spanish, later known as The Voice of Hope (VOH), emerged in 1942 in Glendale, California. Its main mission was to reach the population of the Spanish-speaking world with the Gospel of salvation through the radio. Founder, Braulio Pérez Marcio, Litt.D., director/speaker for more than 30 years, was born in Spain in 1904, and raised and educated in Argentina. He also taught in Central America. In 1942, while ministering in Havana, Cuba, as pastor and evangelist, he was invited to conduct the radio program that would be known internationally.
Throughout his ministry, he led evangelism campaigns in all Hispanic American countries, as well as among the Hispanic population of the United States. His erudition, sensitivity as a writer and poet, and deep understanding of the Hispanic language and culture made him a very influential personality among the Hispanic audience. Above all, he was an instrument of the Lord who exalted the blessed hope of His return.
In 1971, when Perez Marcio’s health was declining, Milton Peverini took his place for 24 years, and then Frank Gonzalez took over. Since 2013, Omar Grieve from Argentina, and his wife, Nessy Pittau from Brazil, have been taking the lead. Evangelist Ángel Rodríguez Medina joined them in 2014. All ministry personnel identified with the Grieves’ deep vision of using the resources of the ministry to proclaim the message of salvation boldly and effectively, and to exalt Jesus Christ as the only source of hope and salvation. Thanks to the invaluable support of innumerable people, and through the power of God, VOH has sown a Christian message of security, peace, and love.
Now, 75 years later, as a way of celebrating a path full of blessings, an evangelistic caravan was organized that launched in Cuba last March. For seven years the program had ceased to be transmitted in Cuba, and there is a lot to celebrate now that it is on the air again. Fifty simultaneous campaigns were conducted; in addition, they participated in the evangelistic caravan, visiting 17 cities, graduating 22,000 students, and baptizing approximately 1,800 souls for the glory of God.
This year’s anniversary will mark special events in the territories of the nine unions in the North American Division, concluding with the anniversary summit event to be held September 9, 2017, at the Loma Linda Adventist Church, Loma Linda, California. Before that culminating event, the caravan will pass through Portland, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; Garland, Texas; Ashton, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; New York, New York; St. Paul, Minnesota; and San Jose, California.
The Southern Union Conference Hispanic Ministries Department is looking forward to participating in this celebration on July 22, 2017, when The Voice of Hope Caravan will be in Jonesboro, Georgia. The churches in the area are getting ready for the event. There is no doubt that God will bless every step of the process to make this great project a reality.
is the SURF customer service and accounts manager at the Southern Union in Norcross, Georgia.
Southern Union | June 2017
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